Mrs Margaret Cheng

July 1, 1934 - July 11, 2019

Passed away peacefully on 11th July 2019 at Abrina Nursing Home; Beloved Wife of John Cheng (Deceased); Adored Mother of Veronica & Karen; Respected Mother-in-law of Thomas & Alex; Cherished Grandmother of Edison; Aged 85 Years. Will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts. Margaret‘s Eulogy (鄭太余慕潔的生平故事): 余慕潔女士，認識她的朋友也會親切地稱呼她做Margaret。Margaret出生於1930年代，這正是無論在中國還是世界當中最動盪的年代。出生在這時期的Margaret當然也要面對時代的產物—戰亂的紛爭，生活甚至是生存的問題。媽媽作為家庭主婦要全心照顧Margaret和她的兄長和姊姊。而爸爸跟隨當時的潮流，為了生活而遠赴加拿大謀生，爸爸出國的時候，Margaret還只是一個抱嬰。這一別就是永遠，Margaret再沒有見過她的爸爸。直到1998年，她終於有機會去加拿大，參觀爸爸曾經生活的城市Calgary卡城，Margaret只能從爸爸的朋友口中認識自己的父親，第一次能近距離了解爸爸當年的經歷和點點滴滴。 Margaret was born in the 1930s in a China that was to face many changes and civil conflicts. Her mother was a housewife and took care of Margaret and her older brothers and sister. Like many men of that era, Margaret’s father had to seek livelihood overseas and travelled to Canada to make a living when Margaret was a baby. Unfortunately, she never met her father again. Her only real connection to his existence was when she eventually visited the city Calgary, Canada in 1998 in which he had lived. And through her father’s friends, she was able to get to know him better through their stories and memories. 沒有爸爸的家庭而媽媽又要擔待家庭的大小事務，Margaret在她的成長當中和她的家人都必須比普通人付出更多努力才能賴以生存下來。這段艱難的時期，Margaret堅毅不屈度過了戰爭帶給她和家人的挑戰。Margaret的努力不但展示在生活當中，她對於自己的學業也有這一份堅持，皇天不負有心人，Margaret的決心也給她回報，最終她成為了一位備受尊重的呼吸內科醫生，救傷扶危。 With no fatherly figure at home, Margaret had to work extra hard during her youth, together with her family. Her perseverance during those times of hardship saw them through the most challenging times. Her determination during her educational years paid off, and she eventually became a much respected respiratory physician in China. 醫生這份職業當然光鮮亮麗，但在亂世當中，背後的辛酸也只有Margaret自己才能夠感受。對於上一個世紀的中國人而言，走過這一切都太不容易了。不過亦常言道“天無絕人之路”。這句話正適合Margaret和她的家人當時的情況。當時中國國內的政治環境十分緊張，Margaret和她的家人為了未來更安穩的生活環境，所以一家人決定移民來到澳大利亞。 But as a famous saying goes: “When one door closes another door opens…” this was indeed true for Margaret and her family. Due to the political environment in China at the time, Margaret and her family decided to migrate to Australia and seek a better and more stable future. 1986年，Margaret放棄了醫生的工作，和家人離開當時習以為常的自在生活和在國內的親朋好友移民去澳大利亞從新開始。當時的Margaret已經年過半百。對於這個50多歲的太太而言，將過往連根拔起從新出發，面對新的社群還有語言和經濟的障礙需要很大的勇氣。但是現在我們看到Margaret的犧牲是值得的。Margaret和已故的丈夫John能夠在澳大利亞建立屬於自己的更好家園，不但讓他們的兩個女兒可以在這樣安定的環境下成長，還在他們夫婦二人的退休生活中可以有可愛的孫仔Edison陪伴，弄孫為樂，這都是他們夢寐以求的生活。 In 1986, Margaret and her family left their comfortable lives, relatives and friends in China and started all over again in Australia. By that time, Margaret was already in her 50s. It took much courage to uproot and move to a new country, a new community, and facing language and financial barriers. But the sacrifices she made was not in vain. Margaret and John, her late husband, was able to establish a better home in Australia for their daughters to grow up in. And in their retirement, they were blessed with adorable grandson, Edison. 丈夫John於6年前不幸離世，而Margaret也入住了Abrina療養院。雖然沒有丈夫的陪伴，但是她依然抱著積極的心態生活下去。在女兒，女婿以及好多親朋好友的支持下，Margaret從不孤單。她更加非常獨立，從不希望打擾任何人。7月11日凌晨1點10分，Margaret永遠離開了，她的生命故事也畫上了句點。雖然萬分的傷感和不捨，但是她平安的離開了。 6 years ago, her late husband John passed away. And Margaret moved to Abrina Nursing Home. Without her better half, she still held a positive mind frame. With her daughter, son in law and many family and friends to support her, Margaret was never alone. Margaret always had been independent and never really wanted to bother anyone. Sadly on 11th July at 1:10am, Margaret had reached the end of her life chapter and peacefully passed away. Margaret的一生正如“Climb every mountain”（翻過山丘）這首歌中的一句很有名的歌詞所描述的：Margaret的確翻越了一座座山丘，穿過一條條小溪，為她的夢想在高高低低之中尋尋覓覓。無論付出任何代價，Margaret的夢想其實很簡單，她只希望為她的家人尋找一個安樂窩。Margaret，你今生的勞苦愁煩都已經完結了。願你現在能在永恆的安寧中休息。直到那天我們會再次相遇之前，我們都會以你作為榜樣再生活中活出你的樣子，以此來紀念和表揚你的一生以及你所有的付出。 In her life, to quote the famous words from the song ‘Climb every mountain’ — Margaret had indeed climbed every mountain, crossed every stream and searched high and low for her dreams - her dreams was quite simply to provide a stable happy home for her family, whatever the cost. Margaret, your life’s labour is now completed. May you sleep now in eternal peace. Until that day we meet again, we will remember and honour you by living life in your example. Reflection: 感恩今日這個特別的日子讓我們有幸能相聚在這裡一同通過分享Margaret的一生來懷緬與她同行的日子。曾經有機會能認識Margaret讓我們因此都成為更美好的人。她以她的真誠、慷慨和愛感動了身邊很多的人。引用Maya Angelo的一首詩送給我們偉大的Margaret再適合不過。 “擁有一份偉大的精神的人總是為別人付出。 這份偉大的精神永垂不息。 這份偉大的精神會一次次將我們再聚集在一起“ Margaret正是一個擁有偉大精神的人。她的生命值得我們表揚，她的回憶更值得我們珍藏心中。失去Margaret帶給我們莫大的悲痛，但同時我們都要感恩她曾給我們的教導和生活的榜樣。 Margaret，我們將永遠懷念你。現在你已經完成了這世上的勞苦，你的使命也已經完成了。我們都衷心祝願你可以再永恆的平安鐘安息。我們愛你，而你也會永遠活在我們的心中和情感中。 We are thankful today for the privilege and honour in sharing life with our dearest Margaret. We are all better people having known her. And she has indeed touched many with her genuineness, her generosity, and her love. Let us dedicate this poem to a great soul, Margaret. A Great Soul by Maya Angelou “A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together, again and again.” Margaret had a great and gentle soul. Her life we honour. Her memory we cherish. We are at grief at her passing. But together, we feel gratitude for her life and inspiration. Margaret, we shall miss you dearly. Your life’s labour is now complete. May you rest in eternal peace. We love you and you will always be in our hearts.